Linkage mechanism and reclining chair having same

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses a linkage mechanism and a reclining chair having the same. The linkage mechanism has a forward mounting pivot for attaching the actuator to the footrest linkage and a rearward mounting unit for attaching the actuator to the lever link. The lever link is pivotally connected to the base mounting plate at the fulcrum pivot point. The fulcrum pivot attachment point is operably non-movable when the linkage mechanism is driven from one position to another position of the reclining chair, thereby, improving the operation stability of the reclining chair.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of, pursuant to 35U.S.C. §119(e), U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/845,002,filed Jul. 11, 2013, entitled “DEVELOPED DRIVE FOR POWER ROCKERRECLINER,” by Guo-Qiu Lu et al., which is incorporated herein in itsentirety by reference.

This application also claims priority to and the benefit of, pursuant to35 U.S.C. §119(a), Chinese Patent Application No. 201320257679.3, filedon May 10, 2013, in the State Intellectual Property Office of P.R.China, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a reclining chair, and moreparticular to a linkage mechanism and a reclining chair having thelinkage mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reclining chairs find widespeard use. A reclining chair usually has aseat, a backrest, a pair of footrests and a pair of linkage mechanismsoperably moveable among three positions, a fully upright position, a TVposition and a fully reclined position. In the TV position, the seat andbackrest are partially reclined and the footrest extended, while in thefully reclined position, the seat and backrest are fully reclined andthe footrest extended.

Recently, electric motors have been applied to the reclining chair tofacilitate the movement through the different positions. A conventionallinkage mechanism includes a motor bellcrank having one end pivotallyconnected to a lift link that is in turn pivotally connected to a basemounting plate, the other end pivotally connected to a motor pivotbracket coupled to the motor, and a middle portion pivotally connectedto a front lift link to define a fulcrum pivot therein. For such adesign, however, the fulcrum pivot moves when the linkage mechanism isdriven from one position to another position, which may cause thelinkage mechanism to flex and fatigue during the operation and also therear motor drive pivots upward to move close to the reclining chair whencycled.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in one aspect, relates to a linkage mechanism used in areclining chair having an upright position, a TV position, and a fullyreclined position.

In one embodiment, the linkage mechanism includes a base mounting platefor fixedly mounting the linkage mechanism onto a base assembly of thereclining chair; a backrest mounting bracket pivotally coupled to thebase mounting plate; a seat mounting link having a front end portion anda rear end portion pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket,and disposed movably relative to the base mounting plate; a footrestlinkage pivotally coupled to the seat mounting link, a footrest drivemechanism pivotally coupled to the footrest linkage, the base mountingplate and the backrest mounting bracket for driving the footrest linkageoperably between a retracted position and an TV position; and areclining drive mechanism pivotally coupled to the backrest mountingbracket, the base mounting plate and the footrest drive mechanism, fordriving the reclining chair to be in a desired position that iscorresponding to one of the upright position, the TV position, and thefully reclined position.

The reclining drive mechanism has a reclining link having a first endportion pivotally connected to the backrest mounting bracket; a frontpivot link having a first end portion pivotally connected to the secondend portion of the reclining link and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to a first end portion of the base mounting plate; a leverlink having a first end portion and a second end portion defining amiddle portion therebetween, wherein the middle portion of the leverlink is pivotally connected to the base mounting plate to define afulcrum pivot therein, wherein the fulcrum pivot is operably non-movablerelative to the base mounting plate; a connecting link having a firstend portion pivotally connected to the reclining link at a positionbetween the first and second end portions of the reclining link of thelever link, and a second end portion pivotally connected to the secondportion of the lever link; and a rear motor drive bracket having a firstend portion pivotally connected to the first end portion of the leverlink, and a second end portion fixedly coupled to a linear actuatorassembly for driving the lever link rotatably around the fulcrum pivot,so as to drive the reclining chair to be in the desired position.

In one embodiment, the footrest linkage comprises a scissor-typelinkage.

In one embodiment, the footrest linkage comprises a first front footrestlink, a second front footrest link, a first rear footrest link, a secondrear footrest link and a footrest mounting bracket, each footrest linkhaving a first end portion and a second end, wherein the first endportions of the first and second front footrest links and are pivotallyconnected to the footrest mounting bracket, and the second end portionsof the first and second front footrest links and are pivotally connectedto the first end portions of the first and second rear footrest linksand, respectively, wherein the second front footrest link is pivotallyconnected to the first rear footrest link, wherein the second endportion of the first rear footrest link is pivotally connected to thefront end portion of the seat mounting link, and wherein the second endportion of the second rear footrest link is pivotally connected to theseat mounting link at a position proximate to the front end portion ofthe seat mounting link.

In one embodiment, the footrest drive mechanism comprises: a footrestdrive link having a first end portion pivotally connected to pivotallyconnected to the second rear footrest link at a position proximate tothe second end portion of the second rear footrest link, and a secondend portion; a rear stop link having a first end portion fixed mountedto the backrest mounting bracket, a second end portion and a guide slotformed at the second end portion; a rear pivot plate pivotally coupledto the backrest mounting bracket, a second end portion of the basemounting plate, a second end portion of the footrest drive link via theguide slot of the rear stop link; a wheel link having a first endportion pivotally connected to the rear pivot plate; and a wheel controllink having a first end portion and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to the base mounting plate and the wheel link, respectively.

In one embodiment, the linkage mechanism further comprises a front motordrive bracket having a first end portion pivotally connected to thefirst rear footrest link at a position between the first and second endportions of the first rear footrest link, and a second end portionfixedly coupled to the linear actuator assembly.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a reclining chair comprisingthe reclining chair frame as disclosed above.

In yet another aspect, the invention relates to a reclining chair. Thereclining chair includes a base assembly; a pair of linkage mechanismscoupled to the base assembly, wherein the pair of linkage mechanisms isdisposed on either side of the reclining chair, and is substantiallyidentical and mirror images of one another, and is interconnected to oneanother; and a linear actuator assembly coupled to the pair of linkagemechanisms for operably driving the reclining chair to be in a desiredposition that is corresponding to one of an upright position, a TVposition, and a fully reclined position,

Each linkage mechanism includes a base mounting plate for fixedlymounting the linkage mechanism onto a base assembly of the recliningchair; a backrest mounting bracket pivotally coupled to the basemounting plate; a seat mounting link having a front end portion and arear end portion pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket, anddisposed movably relative to the base mounting plate; a footrest linkagepivotally coupled to the seat mounting link, a footrest drive mechanismpivotally coupled to the footrest linkage, the base mounting plate andthe backrest mounting bracket for driving the footrest linkage operablybetween a retracted position and an TV position; and a reclining drivemechanism pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket, the basemounting plate and the footrest drive mechanism, for driving thereclining chair to be in a desired position that is corresponding to oneof the upright position, the TV position, and the fully reclinedposition.

The reclining drive mechanism has a reclining link having a first endportion pivotally connected to the backrest mounting bracket; a frontpivot link having a first end portion pivotally connected to the secondend portion of the reclining link and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to a first end portion of the base mounting plate; a leverlink having a first end portion and a second end portion defining amiddle portion therebetween, wherein the middle portion of the leverlink is pivotally connected to the base mounting plate to define afulcrum pivot therein, wherein the fulcrum pivot is operably non-movablerelative to the base mounting plate; a connecting link having a firstend portion pivotally connected to the reclining link at a positionbetween the first and second end portions of the reclining link of thelever link, and a second end portion pivotally connected to the secondportion of the lever link; and a rear motor drive bracket having a firstend portion pivotally connected to the first end portion of the leverlink, and a second end portion fixedly coupled to a linear actuatorassembly for driving the lever link rotatably around the fulcrum pivot,so as to drive the reclining chair to be in the desired position.

In one embodiment, the footrest linkage comprises a scissor-typelinkage.

In one embodiment, the footrest linkage comprises a first front footrestlink, a second front footrest link, a first rear footrest link, a secondrear footrest link and a footrest mounting bracket, each footrest linkhaving a first end portion and a second end, wherein the first endportions of the first and second front footrest links and are pivotallyconnected to the footrest mounting bracket, and the second end portionsof the first and second front footrest links and are pivotally connectedto the first end portions of the first and second rear footrest linksand, respectively, wherein the second front footrest link is pivotallyconnected to the first rear footrest link, wherein the second endportion of the first rear footrest link is pivotally connected to thefront end portion of the seat mounting link, and wherein the second endportion of the second rear footrest link is pivotally connected to theseat mounting link at a position proximate to the front end portion ofthe seat mounting link.

In one embodiment, the footrest drive mechanism comprises: a footrestdrive link having a first end portion pivotally connected to pivotallyconnected to the second rear footrest link at a position proximate tothe second end portion of the second rear footrest link, and a secondend portion; a rear stop link having a first end portion fixed mountedto the backrest mounting bracket, a second end portion and a guide slotformed at the second end portion; a rear pivot plate pivotally coupledto the backrest mounting bracket, a second end portion of the basemounting plate, a second end portion of the footrest drive link via theguide slot of the rear stop link; a wheel link having a first endportion pivotally connected to the rear pivot plate; and a wheel controllink having a first end portion and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to the base mounting plate and the wheel link, respectively.

In one embodiment, the linkage mechanism further comprises a front motordrive bracket having a first end portion pivotally connected to thefirst rear footrest link at a position between the first and second endportions of the first rear footrest link, and a second end portionfixedly coupled to the linear actuator assembly.

In one embodiment, the linear actuator assembly comprises: a front motordrive tube having a first end and a second end rigidly attached to thesecond end portions of the front motor drive brackets of the pair oflinkage mechanisms, respectively; a rear motor drive tube having a firstend and a second end rigidly attached to the second end portions of therear motor drive brackets of the pair of linkage mechanisms,respectively; a front motor pivot bracket pivotally attached to a middleportion of the front motor drive tube; a rear motor attaching bracketrigidly attached to a middle portion of the rear motor drive tube; anactuator housing disposed between the front motor pivot bracket and therear motor attaching bracket; an actuator yoke rigidly attached to therear motor attaching bracket; and a linear actuator, wherein the linearactuator and the actuator yoke are slidably connected via the actuatorhousing.

In one embodiment, the base assembly comprises: a pair of support framesdisposed the lateral sides of the reclining chair in parallel; and apair of rockers, wherein each rocker is mounted to a respective supportframe, and has a mounting plate onto which the base mounting plate ofthe linkage mechanism is rigidly mounted.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunctionwith the following drawings, although variations and modificationstherein may be affected without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of theinvention and, together with the written description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or likeelements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a perspective view of a reclining chairhaving a pair of linkage mechanisms according to one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2A shows a side-view of the linkage mechanism utilized in thereclining chair in an upright position shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B shows a side-view of a reclining drive mechanism of the linkagemechanism in the upright position shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows a side-view of the reclining chair shown in FIG. 1 havingthe linkage mechanism in the upright position.

FIG. 3A shows a side-view of the linkage mechanism utilized in thereclining chair in a TV position shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B shows a side-view of a reclining drive mechanism of the linkagemechanism in the TV position shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C shows a side-view of the reclining chair shown in FIG. 1 havingthe linkage mechanism in the TV position.

FIG. 4A shows a side-view of the linkage mechanism utilized in thereclining chair in a fully reclined position shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B shows a side-view of a reclining drive mechanism of the linkagemechanism in the fully reclined position shown in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C shows a side-view of the reclining chair shown in FIG. 1 havingthe linkage mechanism in the fully reclined position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodimentsof the invention are shown.

This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventionto those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatsame thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternativelanguage and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the termsdiscussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed uponwhether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms forcertain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does notexclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in thisspecification including examples of any terms discussed herein isillustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of theinvention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is notlimited to various embodiments given in this specification.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus,a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second element, component, region, layer or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, regions,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or“top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understoodthat relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. Forexample, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then beoriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term“lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and“upper,” depending of the particular orientation of the figure.Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented“above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath”can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized oroverly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”,“attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc.,another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to,coupled with or contacting the other element or intervening elements mayalso be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being,for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected”to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element,there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciatedby those of skill in the art that references to a structure or featurethat is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions thatoverlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

As used herein, “around”, “about”, “substantially” or “approximately”shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent,and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range.Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term“around”, “about” “substantially” or “approximately” can be inferred ifnot expressly stated.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the invention inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1, 2A-2C, 3A-3C and4A-4C. In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodiedand broadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates toa linkage mechanism and a reclining chair having the linkage mechanism.The reclining chair operably has an upright position, a TV position anda fully reclined position.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A-2C, 3A-3C and 4A-4C, a linkage mechanism 100 isshown according to one embodiment of the invention. In this exemplaryembodiment, the linkage mechanism 100 includes a base mounting plate130, a backrest mounting bracket 140, a seat mounting link 120, afootrest linkage, and a footrest drive mechanism, and a reclining drivemechanism.

The base mounting plate 130 is adapted for fixedly (or rigidly) mounting(or attaching) the linkage mechanism 100 onto a base assembly of thereclining chair.

The backrest mounting bracket 140 is pivotally coupled to the basemounting plate 130.

The seat mounting link 120 has a front end portion and a rear endportion, and is disposed movably relative to the base mounting plate130. The front end portion of the seat mounting link 120 is pivotallycoupled to the footrest linkage, while the rear end portion of the seatmounting link 120 is pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket140.

The footrest linkage is pivotally coupled to the seat mounting link 120.Generally, the footrest linkage is a scissor-type linkage. In thisexemplary embodiment, the footrest linkage comprises a first frontfootrest link 104, a second front footrest link 106, a first rearfootrest link 104, a second rear footrest link 104 and a footrestmounting bracket 102. Each footrest link has a first end portion and asecond end. The first end portions of the first and second frontfootrest links 104 and 106 are pivotally connected to the footrestmounting bracket 102. The second end portions of the first and secondfront footrest links 104 and 106 are pivotally connected to the firstend portions of the first and second rear footrest links 108 and 110,respectively. The second front footrest link 106 is pivotally connectedto the first rear footrest link 108. The second end portion of the firstrear footrest link 108 is pivotally connected to the front end portionof the seat mounting link 120. The second end portion of the second rearfootrest link 110 is pivotally connected to the seat mounting link 120at a position proximate to the front end portion of the seat mountinglink 120.

The footrest drive mechanism is pivotally coupled to the footrestlinkage, the base mounting plate 130 and the backrest mounting bracket140 for driving the footrest linkage operably between a retractedposition and a TV position. The footrest drive mechanism in thisexemplary embodiment includes a footrest drive link 122 having a firstend portion pivotally connected to pivotally connected to the secondrear footrest link 110 at a position proximate to the second end portionof the second rear footrest link 110, and a second end portion; a rearstop link 144 having a first end portion fixed mounted to the backrestmounting bracket 140, a second end portion and a guide slot 144 a formedat the second end portion; a rear pivot plate 142 pivotally coupled tothe backrest mounting bracket 140, a second end portion of the basemounting plate 130, a second end portion of the footrest drive link 122via the guide slot 144 a of the rear stop link 144; a wheel link 146having a first end portion pivotally connected to the rear pivot plate142; and a wheel control link 148 having a first end portion and asecond end portion pivotally connected to the base mounting plate 130and the wheel link 146, respectively.

The reclining drive mechanism is pivotally coupled to the backrestmounting bracket 140, the base mounting plate 130 and the footrest drivemechanism, for driving the reclining chair to be in a desired positionthat is corresponding to one of the upright position, the TV position,and the fully reclined position. In this exemplary embodiment, thereclining drive mechanism has a reclining link 132, a front pivot link134, a lever link 136, a connecting link 138, and a rear motor drivebracket 160.

The reclining link 132 has a first end portion pivotally connected tothe backrest mounting bracket 140, and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to a first end portion of the front pivot link 134.

The front pivot link 134 has the first end portion pivotally connectedto the second end portion of the reclining link 132 and a second endportion pivotally connected to a first end portion of the base mountingplate 130.

The lever link 136 has a first end portion and a second end portiondefining a middle portion therebetween. The middle portion of the leverlink 136 is pivotally connected to the base mounting plate 130 to definea fulcrum pivot 136 c therein. According to the invention, the fulcrumpivot 136 c is operably non-movable relative to the base mounting plate130.

The connecting link 138 has a first end portion pivotally connected tothe reclining link 132 at a position 138 a between the first and secondend portions of the reclining link 132 of the lever link 136, and asecond end portion pivotally connected to the second portion of thelever link 136.

The rear motor drive bracket 160 has a first end portion pivotallyconnected to the first end portion of the lever link 136, and a secondend portion fixedly coupled to a linear actuator assembly for drivingthe lever link 136 rotatably around the fulcrum pivot 136 c, so as todrive the reclining chair to be in the desired position.

The linkage mechanism 100 also includes a front motor drive bracket 150having a first end portion pivotally connected to the first rearfootrest link 108 at a position between the first and second endportions of the first rear footrest link 108, and a second end portionfixedly coupled to the linear actuator assembly.

Preferably, the linkage mechanism 100 is made from durable materialssuch as steel, alloy, plastic, wood, or any combination of them, asknown to people skilled in the art.

Again, referring to FIGS. 1, 2A-2C, 3A-3C and 4A-4C, and particularly toFIGS. 1, 2C, 3C and 4C, a reclining chair or seating unit 10 isschematically shown according to one embodiment of the invention. Thereclining chair 10 includes a base assembly placed on a floor, a pair oflinkage mechanisms 100 coupled to the base assembly, a backrest 196, aseat 198 and a footrest 102 supported by the linkage mechanism 100,armrests 194 mounted onto the base assembly, and a linear actuatorassembly coupled to the pair of linkage mechanisms for operably drivingthe reclining chair 10 to be in a desired position that is correspondingto one of an upright or close position, a semi-reclined or TV position,and a fully reclined position. The linkage mechanism 100 has ascissor-type footrest linkage assembly that is operably movable in aretracted position and an extended position, and is configured such thatthe seat 198, the backrest 196 and the footrest 102 are movable amongthe upright position, the TV position, and the fully reclined position.

The closed position, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, is generally a normalnon-reclined sitting position with the seat 198 in a generallyhorizontal position and the backrest 196 generally upright and in asubstantial, perpendicular-biased relation to the seat 198. Thescissor-type footrest linkage and the footrests 102 are in a refractedposition. In the TV position, the footrest linkage and the footrests 102are extended forward and disposed generally horizontal, while thebackrest 196 remains substantially perpendicular to the seat 198. Thebackrest 196 and the seat 198 define an angle, a, as shown in FIGS.3A-3C. The scissor-type footrest linkage and the footrests 102 are in anextended position. In the fully reclined position, the backrest 196 isrotated rearward by the linkage mechanism 100 and biased in a rearwardinclination angle, β, in relation to the seat 198, where β>α, as shownin FIGS. 4A-4C. The scissor-type footrest linkage and the footrests 102are also in the extended position.

In this exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the base assembly includesa pair of support frames 190 parallel-placed on a floor at two lateralsides of the reclining chair 10, and a pair of rockers 180. Each rocker180 is mounted onto a respective support frame 190, and has a mountingplate 182 onto which the base mounting plate 130 of the linkagemechanism 100 is rigidly mounted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of linkage mechanisms 100 is located onopposite sides of the reclining chair 10 and interconnected byappropriate cross pieces, as necessary, for example, a front motor drivetube 152 and a rear motor drive tube 162. Since the pair of linkagemechanisms 100 on either side of the reclining chair are substantiallyidentical and mirror images of one another, as shown in FIG. 1, only onelinkage mechanism 100 is described herein for the purposes ofsimplicity.

In this exemplary embodiment, the linkage mechanism 100 includes a basemounting plate 130, a backrest mounting bracket 140, a seat mountinglink 120, a footrest linkage, and a footrest drive mechanism, and areclining drive mechanism.

The base mounting plate 130 is fixedly (or rigidly) mounted (orattached) onto the mounting plate 182 of the rocker 180 of the baseassembly of the reclining chair 10. The backrest mounting bracket 140 isadapted for supporting and holding the backrest 196 and pivotallycoupled to the base mounting plate 130.

The seat mounting link 120 is adapted for supporting the seat 198, anddisposed movably relative to the base mounting plate 130. The seatmounting link 120 has a front end portion and a rear end portion. Thefront end portion of the seat mounting link 120 is pivotally coupled tothe footrest linkage, while the rear end portion of the seat mountinglink 120 is pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket 140.

The footrest linkage is pivotally coupled to the seat mounting link 120.Generally, the footrest linkage is a scissor-type linkage. In thisexemplary embodiment, the footrest linkage comprises a first frontfootrest link 104, a second front footrest link 106, a first rearfootrest link 104, a second rear footrest link 104 and a footrestmounting bracket 102. Each footrest link has a first end portion and asecond end. The first end portions of the first and second frontfootrest links 104 and 106 are pivotally connected to the footrestmounting bracket 102. The second end portions of the first and secondfront footrest links 104 and 106 are pivotally connected to the firstend portions of the first and second rear footrest links 108 and 110,respectively. The second front footrest link 106 is pivotally connectedto the first rear footrest link 108. The second end portion of the firstrear footrest link 108 is pivotally connected to the front end portionof the seat mounting link 120. The second end portion of the second rearfootrest link 110 is pivotally connected to the seat mounting link 120at a position proximate to the front end portion of the seat mountinglink 120.

The footrest drive mechanism is pivotally coupled to the footrestlinkage, the base mounting plate 130 and the backrest mounting bracket140 for driving the footrest linkage operably between a retractedposition and a TV position. The footrest drive mechanism in thisexemplary embodiment includes a footrest drive link 122 having a firstend portion pivotally connected to pivotally connected to the secondrear footrest link 110 at a position proximate to the second end portionof the second rear footrest link 110, and a second end portion; a rearstop link 144 having a first end portion fixed mounted to the backrestmounting bracket 140, a second end portion and a guide slot 144 a formedat the second end portion; a rear pivot plate 142 pivotally coupled tothe backrest mounting bracket 140, a second end portion of the basemounting plate 130, a second end portion of the footrest drive link 122via the guide slot 144 a of the rear stop link 144; a wheel link 146having a first end portion pivotally connected to the rear pivot plate142; and a wheel control link 148 having a first end portion and asecond end portion pivotally connected to the base mounting plate 130and the wheel link 146, respectively.

The reclining drive mechanism is pivotally coupled to the backrestmounting bracket 140, the base mounting plate 130 and the footrest drivemechanism, for driving the reclining chair to be in a desired positionthat is corresponding to one of the upright position, the TV position,and the fully reclined position. In this exemplary embodiment, thereclining drive mechanism has a reclining link 132, a front pivot link134, a lever link 136, a connecting link 138, and a rear motor drivebracket 160.

The reclining link 132 has a first end portion pivotally connected tothe backrest mounting bracket 140, and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to a first end portion of the front pivot link 134.

The front pivot link 134 has the first end portion pivotally connectedto the second end portion of the reclining link 132 and a second endportion pivotally connected to a first end portion of the base mountingplate 130.

The lever link 136 has a first end portion and a second end portiondefining a middle portion therebetween. The middle portion of the leverlink 136 is pivotally connected to the base mounting plate 130 to definea fulcrum pivot 136 c therein. According to the invention, the fulcrumpivot 136 c is operably non-movable relative to the base mounting plate130.

The connecting link 138 has a first end portion pivotally connected tothe reclining link 132 at a position 138 a between the first and secondend portions of the reclining link 132 of the lever link 136, and asecond end portion pivotally connected to the second portion of thelever link 136.

The rear motor drive bracket 160 has a first end portion pivotallyconnected to the first end portion of the lever link 136, and a secondend portion fixedly attached to a linear actuator assembly via the rearmotor drive tube 162, for driving the lever link 136 rotatably aroundthe fulcrum pivot 136 c, so as to drive the reclining chair to be in thedesired position.

The linkage mechanism 100 also includes a front motor drive bracket 150having a first end portion pivotally connected to the first rearfootrest link 108 at a position between the first and second endportions of the first rear footrest link 108, and a second end portionfixedly attached to the linear actuator assembly via the front motordrive tube 152.

As shown in FIG. 1, the linear actuator assembly includes a front motordrive tube 152 having a first end and a second end rigidly attached tothe second end portions of the front motor drive brackets 150 of thepair of linkage mechanisms, respectively; a rear motor drive tube 162having a first end and a second end rigidly attached to the second endportions of the rear motor drive brackets 160 of the pair of linkagemechanisms, respectively; a front motor pivot bracket 172 pivotallyattached to a middle portion of the front motor drive tube 152; a rearmotor attaching bracket 174 rigidly attached to a middle portion of therear motor drive tube 162; an actuator housing 178 disposed between thefront motor pivot bracket 172 and the rear motor attaching bracket 174;an actuator yoke 176 rigidly attached to the rear motor attachingbracket 174; and a linear actuator 170. The linear actuator 170 and theactuator yoke 176 are slidably connected via the actuator housing 178.The linear actuator assembly also has with electronic control meaningfor adjusting positions of the reclining chair among the closedposition, the TV position and the full reclined position.

The reclining chair 10 can be moved forward and rearward in a rockingmotion in a closed position. Movements to the TV and full reclinedpositions are restricted by the linear actuator 170. The linear actuator170 contains a threaded screw shaft that when rotated causes a matchingthreaded actuator yoke 176 to move forward or rearward over the actuatorhousing 178. The linear actuator 170 has a pivoting connection 172 tothe front motor drive tube 152 that is rigidly attached to the firstrear footrest link 108 though the front motor drive bracket 150. Such anattachment arrangement allows the front motor drive tube 152 to supplyadequate torque resistance between left and right hand footrestassemblies and maintains a mirrored movement of the assemblies whilemaintaining freedom of movement through pivoting connection 172. Themoveable actuator yoke 176 is rigidly attached to the rear motor attachbracket 174 at an attachment point 175. In one embodiment, the rearmotor attach bracket 174 is solidly welded to the rear motor drive tube162, so as to creates a ridged assembly of the actuator yoke 176, therear motor attach bracket 174 and the rear motor drive tube 162. Therear motor drive bracket 160 is rigidly connected to the end of the rearmotor drive tube 162 and has a pivoting connection to the first endportion of the lever link 136 at the lever link pivot 136 a. The leverlink pivot 136 a allows freedom for the rear of the linear actuatorassembly to pivot up and down during cycling. The lever link 136 has thefirst end portion pivotally connected to the rear motor drive bracket160 at the lever link pivot 136 a, the second end portion pivotallyconnected to the connecting link 138 at a pivot 136 b, and the middleportion pivotally connected to the base mounting bracket 136 at thefulcrum pivot attachment point 136 c. The connecting link 138 ispivotally connected to the reclining link 132 at lift link upper pivot138 a. The fulcrum pivot attachment point 136 c is operably non-movable,that is, the fulcrum pivot attachment point 136 c is still when thelinkage mechanism 100 is driven from one position to another position ofthe reclining chair 10, so that the operation stability of the recliningchair 10 is improved.

In operation, the movement of the reclining chair from one position toanother position is activated by the movement of the linear actuatoryoke 176 via an electronic control. The movement of the linear actuatoryoke 176 causes the distance between the lever link pivot (fulcrumpivot) 136 c and the front motor pivot 172 to increase or decreasedependent on a motor direction. The length of the movement is controlledat each end by limit switches contained in the actuator housing 178. Themovement may be stopped also at any time via the electronic controller.In the closed position, the distance between the fulcrum pivot 136 c andthe front motor pivot 172 is at the shortest limit. Activating of thecontroller moves the linear actuator yoke 176 rearward along theactuator housing 178, thereby, moving the rear motor attach bracket 174,the rear motor drive tube 162 and the rear motor drive bracket 160rearward simultaneously as on unit. As the distance between the fulcrumpivot 136 c and the front motor pivot 172 increases, the footrest 102moves out and up. This movement continues until the first rear footrestlink 108 reaches an interference position against a TV stop 105 and theTV position is attained. The interference position of the first rearfootrest link 108 against the TV stop 105 stops the forward movement ofthe front motor pivot 172, so if the user of the reclining chair 10continues to engage the electronic control, the linear actuator yoke 176is forced to move rearward along with the rear motor attach bracket 174,the rear motor drive tube 162 and the rear motor drive bracket 160 andthe lever link 136. The rearward movement of the linear actuator yoke176 causes a counterclockwise rotation of the lever link 136 around thefulcrum pivot 136 c that is not movable. The rotation of the lever link136 also causes a counterclockwise rotation of the pivot 136 b where theconnecting link 138 is pivotally attached to the lever link 136. Thecounterclockwise rotation of the pivot 136 b is more or less in anupward direction, which this movement forces the connecting link 138 tomove more or less upward and drive the reclining link 132 upward throughthe pivotally attached location of the pivot 138 a. The upward movementof the recline link 132 causes the back of the reclining chair 10 tomove rearward until the extended position limit switch of the linearactuator 170 is reached. A rear linear actuator attachment position tothe lever that operably maintains the relative position of the rear ofthe linear actuator away from the seat as the reclining chair is movedto the full reclined position.

The movement from the full reclined position to the TV position and thento the closed position is achieved by reversing the linear actuator 170with the electronic controller that causes the distance between thefulcrum pivot 136 c and the front motor pivot 172 to be reduced,thereby, causing first the clockwise rotation of the lever link 136around the fulcrum pivot 136 c, which results in the lowering of theconnecting link 138 and the reclining link 132 until the TV position isreached. Then continuously retracting of the linear actuator 170 bringsthe fulcrum point 136 c and the front motor pivot 172 closer togethercauses the clockwise rotation of the first rear footrest link 108 untilthe contracted limit switch is reached and the reclining chair is fullyclosed. According to the invention, the linkage mechanism has a forwardmounting pivot for attaching the actuator to the footrest linkage and arearward mounting unit for attaching the actuator to the lever link. Thelever link is pivotally connected to the base mounting plate at thefulcrum pivot point. The fulcrum pivot attachment point is operablynon-movable, i.e., the fulcrum pivot attachment point is still when thelinkage mechanism is driven from one position to another position of thereclining chair, so that the operation stability of the reclining chairis improved.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventionhas been presented only for the purposes of illustration and descriptionand is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and their practical application so as toenable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertainswithout departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, the scope ofthe invention is defined by the appended claims rather than theforegoing description and the exemplary embodiments described therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A linkage mechanism used in a reclining chairhaving an upright position, a TV position, and a fully reclinedposition, comprising: (a) a base mounting plate for fixedly mounting thelinkage mechanism onto a base assembly of the reclining chair; (b) abackrest mounting bracket pivotally coupled to the base mounting plate;(c) a seat mounting link having a front end portion and a rear endportion pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket, and disposedmovably relative to the base mounting plate; (d) a footrest linkagepivotally coupled to the seat mounting link, (e) a footrest drivemechanism pivotally coupled to the footrest linkage, the base mountingplate and the backrest mounting bracket for driving the footrest linkageoperably between a retracted position and an TV position; and (f) areclining drive mechanism pivotally coupled to the backrest mountingbracket, the base mounting plate and the footrest drive mechanism, fordriving the reclining chair to be in a desired position that iscorresponding to one of the upright position, the TV position, and thefully reclined position, wherein the reclining drive mechanismcomprises: (i) a reclining link having a first end portion pivotallyconnected to the backrest mounting bracket; (ii) a front pivot linkhaving a first end portion pivotally connected to the second end portionof the reclining link and a second end portion pivotally connected to afirst end portion of the base mounting plate; (iii) a lever link havinga first end portion and a second end portion defining a middle portiontherebetween, wherein the middle portion of the lever link is pivotallyconnected to the base mounting plate to define a fulcrum pivot therein,wherein the fulcrum pivot is operably non-movable relative to the basemounting plate; (iv) a connecting link having a first end portionpivotally connected to the reclining link at a position between thefirst and second end portions of the reclining link of the lever link,and a second end portion pivotally connected to the second portion ofthe lever link; and (v) a rear motor drive bracket having a first endportion pivotally connected to the first end portion of the lever link,and a second end portion fixedly coupled to a linear actuator assemblyfor driving the lever link rotatably around the fulcrum pivot, so as todrive the reclining chair to be in the desired position.
 2. The linkagemechanism of claim 1, wherein the footrest linkage comprises ascissor-type linkage.
 3. The linkage mechanism of claim 2, wherein thefootrest linkage comprises a first front footrest link, a second frontfootrest link, a first rear footrest link, a second rear footrest linkand a footrest mounting bracket, each footrest link having a first endportion and a second end, wherein the first end portions of the firstand second front footrest links and are pivotally connected to thefootrest mounting bracket, and the second end portions of the first andsecond front footrest links and are pivotally connected to the first endportions of the first and second rear footrest links and, respectively,wherein the second front footrest link is pivotally connected to thefirst rear footrest link, wherein the second end portion of the firstrear footrest link is pivotally connected to the front end portion ofthe seat mounting link, and wherein the second end portion of the secondrear footrest link is pivotally connected to the seat mounting link at aposition proximate to the front end portion of the seat mounting link.4. The linkage mechanism of claim 3, wherein the footrest drivemechanism comprises: (a) a footrest drive link having a first endportion pivotally connected to pivotally connected to the second rearfootrest link at a position proximate to the second end portion of thesecond rear footrest link, and a second end portion; (b) a rear stoplink having a first end portion fixed mounted to the backrest mountingbracket, a second end portion and a guide slot formed at the second endportion; (c) a rear pivot plate pivotally coupled to the backrestmounting bracket, a second end portion of the base mounting plate, asecond end portion of the footrest drive link via the guide slot of therear stop link; (d) a wheel link having a first end portion pivotallyconnected to the rear pivot plate; and (e) a wheel control link having afirst end portion and a second end portion pivotally connected to thebase mounting plate and the wheel link, respectively.
 5. The linkagemechanism of claim 3, further comprising a front motor drive brackethaving a first end portion pivotally connected to the first rearfootrest link at a position between the first and second end portions ofthe first rear footrest link, and a second end portion fixedly coupledto the linear actuator assembly.
 6. A reclining chair comprising thelinkage mechanism of claim
 1. 7. A reclining chair, comprising: a baseassembly; a pair of linkage mechanisms coupled to the base assembly,wherein the pair of linkage mechanisms is disposed on either side of thereclining chair, and is substantially identical and mirror images of oneanother, and is interconnected to one another; and a linear actuatorassembly coupled to the pair of linkage mechanisms for operably drivingthe reclining chair to be in a desired position that is corresponding toone of an upright position, a TV position, and a fully reclinedposition, wherein each linkage mechanism comprising: (a) a base mountingplate for fixedly mounting the linkage mechanism onto the base assembly;(b) a backrest mounting bracket pivotally coupled to the base mountingplate; (c) a seat mounting link having a front end portion and a rearend portion pivotally coupled to the backrest mounting bracket, anddisposed movably relative to the base mounting plate; (c) a footrestlinkage pivotally coupled to the seat mounting link, (d) a footrestdrive mechanism pivotally coupled to the footrest linkage, the basemounting plate and the backrest mounting bracket for driving thefootrest linkage operably between a retracted position and an TVposition; and (e) a reclining drive mechanism pivotally coupled to thebackrest mounting bracket, the base mounting plate and the footrestdrive mechanism, for driving the reclining chair to be in a desiredposition that is corresponding to one of the upright position, the TVposition, and the fully reclined position, wherein the reclining drivemechanism comprises: (i) a reclining link having a first end portionpivotally connected to the backrest mounting bracket; (ii) a front pivotlink having a first end portion pivotally connected to the second endportion of the reclining link and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to a first end portion of the base mounting plate; (iii) alever link having a first end portion and a second end portion defininga middle portion therebetween, wherein the middle portion of the leverlink is pivotally connected to the base mounting plate to define afulcrum pivot therein, wherein the fulcrum pivot is operably non-movablerelative to the base mounting plate; (iv) a connecting link having afirst end portion pivotally connected to the reclining link at aposition between the first and second end portions of the reclining linkof the lever link, and a second end portion pivotally connected to thesecond portion of the lever link; and (v) a rear motor drive brackethaving a first end portion pivotally connected to the first end portionof the lever link, and a second end portion fixedly coupled to thelinear actuator assembly for driving the lever link rotatably around thefulcrum pivot, so as to drive the reclining chair to be in the desiredposition.
 8. The reclining chair of claim 7, wherein the footrestlinkage comprises a scissor-type linkage.
 9. The reclining chair ofclaim 8, wherein the footrest linkage comprises a first front footrestlink, a second front footrest link, a first rear footrest link, a secondrear footrest link and a footrest mounting bracket, each footrest linkhaving a first end portion and a second end, wherein the first endportions of the first and second front footrest links and are pivotallyconnected to the footrest mounting bracket, and the second end portionsof the first and second front footrest links and are pivotally connectedto the first end portions of the first and second rear footrest linksand, respectively, wherein the second front footrest link is pivotallyconnected to the first rear footrest link, wherein the second endportion of the first rear footrest link is pivotally connected to thefront end portion of the seat mounting link, and wherein the second endportion of the second rear footrest link is pivotally connected to theseat mounting link at a position proximate to the front end portion ofthe seat mounting link.
 10. The reclining chair of claim 9, wherein thefootrest drive mechanism comprises: (a) a footrest drive link having afirst end portion pivotally connected to pivotally connected to thesecond rear footrest link at a position proximate to the second endportion of the second rear footrest link, and a second end portion; (b)a rear stop link having a first end portion fixed mounted to thebackrest mounting bracket, a second end portion and a guide slot formedat the second end portion; (c) a rear pivot plate pivotally coupled tothe backrest mounting bracket, a second end portion of the base mountingplate, a second end portion of the footrest drive link via the guideslot of the rear stop link; (d) a wheel link having a first end portionpivotally connected to the rear pivot plate; and (e) a wheel controllink having a first end portion and a second end portion pivotallyconnected to the base mounting plate and the wheel link, respectively.11. The reclining chair of claim 9, wherein the linkage mechanismfurther comprises a front motor drive bracket having a first end portionpivotally connected to the first rear footrest link at a positionbetween the first and second end portions of the first rear footrestlink, and a second end portion fixedly coupled to the linear actuatorassembly.
 12. The reclining chair of claim 7, wherein the linearactuator assembly comprises: (a) a front motor drive tube having a firstend and a second end rigidly attached to the second end portions of thefront motor drive brackets of the pair of linkage mechanisms,respectively; (b) a rear motor drive tube having a first end and asecond end rigidly attached to the second end portions of the rear motordrive brackets of the pair of linkage mechanisms, respectively; (c) afront motor pivot bracket pivotally attached to a middle portion of thefront motor drive tube; (d) a rear motor attaching bracket rigidlyattached to a middle portion of the rear motor drive tube; (e) anactuator housing disposed between the front motor pivot bracket and therear motor attaching bracket; (f) an actuator yoke rigidly attached tothe rear motor attaching bracket; and (g) a linear actuator, wherein thelinear actuator and the actuator yoke 340 are slidably connected via theactuator housing
 330. 13. The reclining chair of claim 1, wherein thebase assembly comprises: (a) a pair of support frames disposed thelateral sides of the reclining chair in parallel; and (b) a pair ofrockers, wherein each rocker is mounted to a respective support frame,and has a mounting plate onto which the base mounting plate of thelinkage mechanism is rigidly mounted.